Pharmacological evidence favouring the folkloric use of Diospyros mespiliformis Hochst in the relief of pain and fever

The methanol extract of Diospyros mespiliformis was evaluated for its claimed folkloric usage in the relief of pain and fever. Antipyretic, analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects of the extract were evaluated in rats and mice. Studies were carried out on yeast-induced pyrexia in rats, acetic acid-induced writhing in mice, formalin test and egg albumin-induced anti-inflammatory activity in rats. The extract (50 and 100 mg/kg i.p.) gave a potent antipyretic effect for 100 mg/kg and significant activity (P < 0.05) against all the analgesic and anti-inflammatory models used. The LD50 of the extract was estimated to be 513.80 +/- 33.92 mg/kg i.p. in mice. These results provide support for the use of the plant in relieving pain and fever. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.